Results of Latarjet Coracoid Transfer to Revise Failed Arthroscopic Instability Repairs

OBJECTIVES: Arthroscopic instability repair has supplanted open techniques to anatomically reconstruct anteroinferior instability pathology. Arthroscopic technique can fail for a variety of reasons. We have utilized the Latarjet as a revision option in failed arthroscopic instability repairs when there is altered surgical anatomy, capsular deficiency and/or glenoid bone compromise and recurrent glenohumeral instability. METHODS: We reviewed 51 shoulders (40 ♀, 11♂) that underwent Latarjet coracoid transfer for the revision of failed previous arthroscopic instability repair. The avg. age was 32.6 yrs (16-58). All patients had recurrent symptomatic anterior instability after previous arthroscopic surgery, and avg. time from arthroscopic repair to Latarjet was 13 months (4-40 mn). All had either CT or MRI that revealed suture anchor material in the glenoid, labral and capsular stripping, and anteroinferior glenoid bone loss or erosion. Advanced bone loss percentage analysis was not performed for this study. We excluded all patients that had a previous open repair, a seizure disorder, or if the Latarjet was a primary procedure. Outcome scores pre-operatively avg: SST: 6.7 (1-12); VAS: 3 (0-8); ASES: 63 (32-89). Coracoid transfer was performed thru a subscapularis split in 38, and with tendon takedown in 13. The coracoid was osteotomized along its long axis parallel to the undersurface of the lateral aspect. This provided at least 2.5 to 3.5 cm of graft with the conjoined tendon attached. The coracoacromial (CA) ligament was incised leaving a 1 cm. stump. The transfer was affixed flush with the articular surface but not lateral to it, with two 3.5 mm cortical screws in lag fashion overdrilling the coracoid with the CA ligament directed laterally. The capsule was then repaired to the CA ligament to make the transfer extra-articular. RESULTS: At avg. 4 yr (2-7 yrs) follow-up stability had been maintained in 51 (100%).without further instability surgery. There were no hardware, neurologic, or infection complications. No graft resorption or non-unions occurred. DJD developed in 3 patients and required eventual resurfacing hemiarthroplasty in 2, and TSA in 1 at an avg of 3 years post-Latarjet (2-5 yrs). Outcome scores post-operatively avg: SST:9.3 (6-12); VAS: 2 (0-6); ASES: 84 (64-92). CONCLUSION: A consecutive series of Latarjet coracoids transfers utilized for the revision of previous failed arthroscopic anteroinferior instability repairs achieved consistent stability. Progressive DJD was not due to hardware, but was encountered in 5%.